Hi everyone--I thought I'd listen to some advice from one of the other monthly groups and start one master thread in which we have an ongoing discussion/updates. I don't know about you all but I certainly spend most of my time on these boards on the pre-op forum and the general forum, not here. It would be nice to have just one thread to go to once in this forum.

We can maybe start out with introductions?

As for me, I'm going the "online privacy" route for now (paranoid that people I haven't told about this will somehow stumble across me on this site I guess, which is crazy, I know) but I can give you the big picture:

You can call me Penny, I'm 27, single and live in the Washington, DC area. I have a background in politics (which is why I live in DC) but now I'm a librarian which is much cooler and way more fun (trust me on that). Oh, and there's no "Marion the Librarian" thing with me either. One of the things I hear most frequently (besides the cliche "you have such a pretty face") is "but you don't LOOK like a librarian", which is another one of those bizarre backhanded compliments that you never really know how to take.

Personality wise, I'm kind of dorky, big into public radio and books and popular science. Oh, I'm also a little on the paranoid side (as you may be able to tell from earlier in this post). Beyond that I'm just kind of silly and friendly, VERY much so into traveling and I'm an aspiring "green" domestic diva (but that's not going so well).

Yes, I have a friend who had bypass around the same time I got my band and she's down to a size 3 now. I never want to get that small, I just don't think it would fit my frame. And to tell the truth everyone we know always says she looks like a crack head now. But she can't seem to get to the part where you maintain instead of losing. I run into people we both know all the time and the comment I get the most is: You look great, Have you seen Chrissy lately she looks like she's sick. What I take from that is it's not always better to be the skinny one but to be the healthy one. If I had to revise my band for any reason I wouldn't get another band I would go with the sleeve, But not bypass. I know it works for some but it's just not for me. I went thru that gain 3 lose 3 for the longest time but since my last fill in Jan. I've lost at least 6lbs that I've kept off. I think I averaged out to about 10lbs from Jan. 08 to Jan. 09 most of my total loss was from July to Dec 08. So I'm hoping things are looking up this year.

Congrats on the loss kimaly. I still sit at nothing, but it is my fault, so I can't complain.

Yeah, I take responsibility for most of this stall, but it is hard to stay at 1100 to lose. I am considering a sleeve, but not until September. Meanwhile, I am going to keep getting tweaks and journaling. I did exercise again this morning...........this could be a habit soon. Yay!

I am just hanging out. I weighed my self like a week ago but I am just not doing much in the food dept or exercise dept. I just feel blah right now no real reason just blah

I have been feeling blah as well. I just am tired and cold all of the time, so I thought maybe I have a possible low iron thing going on, not sure.I went to the doctor Monday and I have a sinus infection (which I knew) and the doc decided to check my blood, so yesterday I had fasting bloodwork. I guess I will know next week.

I have been feeling blah as well. I just am tired and cold all of the time, so I thought maybe I have a possible low iron thing going on, not sure.I went to the doctor Monday and I have a sinus infection (which I knew) and the doc decided to check my blood, so yesterday I had fasting bloodwork. I guess I will know next week.

You may have low D ......everytime I go to the doctor now I have low D. Last time I had low D and B12. I keep forgetting to take my D and I am sure next week when I go I will get another script to take it. The nutritionist told me that low D can mimic Fibromyalgia.......mmmmm. I hope you get to feeling better. It would be nice for the weather to improve. It was nice yesterday and I am hoping for a good one today.

I was told that having low D can mimic lots of stuff. So i take a multi then I add vitamin D.

You know maybe we all feel blah cause of all the cold weather.

I think they call is Seasonal affective disorder

I don't know what it is.......but it is time for SPRING!!!!

Okay, another day, bike, resistance bands.....1100calories. Yay! the calorie count includes dinner tonight.

I don't know what it is.......but it is time for SPRING!!!!

Okay, another day, bike, resistance bands.....1100calories. Yay! the calorie count includes dinner tonight.

great job on the exercise and calorie count. keep it up

Well, the nurse called and he didn't even check the iron or D, he checked the B12 levels and my cholesterol, which both of those are good. I think I will just supplement iron and see if it helps, if it does, I will continue.

I just got back from the doctor. No tweak for me. I am starting nutrition classes next month and pt in two weeks......mainly to learn exercises for me. He thinks I just need to learn how to eat the right foods. Hey, whatever it takes. I am tired of being in this rut. And he ought to know, all he sees all day are obese people who don't know how to eat properly. Meanwhile, I will keep journaling and exercising on my own. Later peeps!

A little off subject but just wanted to share, I had my eye liner tatooed on yesterday. And I'm quite pleased with it. Now I don't have to strain my old eyes to get that liner in place and no more looking like an idiot with racoon eyes and no one telling you about it, ya don't notice it yourself til ya look in the rearveiw. Anyway just wanted to share. Hope everyone is doing well, CrzyTchr, I hope you can get your energy back soon. I think the iron will help but you might want to add a little fiber to your diet also to avoid any constipation problems

A little off subject but just wanted to share, I had my eye liner tatooed on yesterday. And I'm quite pleased with it. Now I don't have to strain my old eyes to get that liner in place and no more looking like an idiot with racoon eyes and no one telling you about it, ya don't notice it yourself til ya look in the rearveiw. Anyway just wanted to share. Hope everyone is doing well, CrzyTchr, I hope you can get your energy back soon. I think the iron will help but you might want to add a little fiber to your diet also to avoid any constipation problems

Cool! Did it hurt? Yep, I would love to have that done. Like I said, my concern is Did it hurt? and Is it expensive?

No pain at all, they use a numbing agent that really worked, I have 10 other tatoos and this was nothing compared to them. A little sore today and looks a little scarey with the swelling but she said it would go down in a day or two. I paid $325.00 for upper and lowers I also had her do the soft tissue behind the lower lash because I'm use to wearing a heavy liner anyway. Price will very depending on where you live. When I started looking into it everyone told me $450.00 That was a little to much for me so I just kept checking until the place I wanted to use ran a special I could afford. I've heard of others in other states paying as low as $225.00 for uppers and lowers. my cost also covers the touch up.

No pain at all, they use a numbing agent that really worked, I have 10 other tatoos and this was nothing compared to them. A little sore today and looks a little scarey with the swelling but she said it would go down in a day or two. I paid $325.00 for upper and lowers I also had her do the soft tissue behind the lower lash because I'm use to wearing a heavy liner anyway. Price will very depending on where you live. When I started looking into it everyone told me $450.00 That was a little to much for me so I just kept checking until the place I wanted to use ran a special I could afford. I've heard of others in other states paying as low as $225.00 for uppers and lowers. my cost also covers the touch up.

Thanks Kimaly. I might give that to myself when I reach this July challenge. I hate putting on eyeliner. I have lenses in my eyes from cataract surgery and I can't see crap up close.

Sometimes I go without liner cuz it takes so long.